Tennis: Greatest test for Japan's quarter finalist

Kei Nishikori is only the second Japanese player in the Open era to make it to the grand slam. Photo / NZPA

When he steps on to the Rod Laver Arena for his Australian Open quarter-final against Andy Murray today, Kei Nishikori is bound to be suitably respectful of his better-credentialed opponent.

But only until the first ball is served. After that, the outsider in the field of men's quarter-finalists will play the match of his life.

Nishikori, who is seeded 24, became only the second Japanese player in the Open era to make it to a grand slam quarter-final when he outplayed and outlasted world No 6 Jo-Wilfried Tsonga of France in the fourth round.

The win put the 22-year-old, who has lived in Florida since he was 14, into uncharted territory. He has already shown he can play, with his best previous grand-slam result coming in 2008 when he made the fourth round of the US Open. But his career stalled the following year when he had surgery on an injured elbow.

Less than three months ago, in Basel, Nishikori beat both Tomas Berdych and world No 1 Novak Djokovic on the way to a final he lost to Roger Federer.

He regards his Open quarter-final, however, as his greatest test.

"For sure," Nishikori said.

"This is first quarter-final for me, so I feel I'm stepping up. But I have no pressure. I will be playing for everything ... for my life."